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Clemson, Trevor Lawrence hit on all cylinders in romp vs. Florida State

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues that a targeting call should be called on Florida State after a hit on his quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the 2nd quarter Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues that a targeting call should be called on Florida State after a hit on his quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the 2nd quarter Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson wide receiver Will Swinney (22) tries to pull in a TD past Florida State defensive back A.J. Lytton (12) during the 4th quarter at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl, Saturday, October 27, 2018. The ball with intercepted on the play. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Tracy Swinney talks with wide receiver Will Swinney (22) after a pass intended for him was intercepted by Florida State during the 4th quarter at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl, Saturday, October 27, 2018 BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson wide receiver Will Swinney (22) tries to pull in a TD past Florida State defensive back A.J. Lytton (12) during the 4th quarter at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl, Saturday, October 27, 2018. The ball with intercepted on the play. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues that a targeting call should be called on Florida State after a hit on his quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the 2nd quarter Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson wide receiver Will Swinney (22) tries to pull in a TD past Florida State defensive back A.J. Lytton (12) during the 4th quarter at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl, Saturday, October 27, 2018. The ball with intercepted on the play. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues that a targeting call should be called on Florida State after a hit on his quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the 2nd quarter Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Clemson place kicker Greg Huegel (92) is helped off the field after being injured during the 2nd quarter Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fl. BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff

Lawrence continued to show why he’s Clemson’s quarterback of the present and the future on Saturday, throwing four touchdown passes in a record-breaking 59-10 rout of Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Tigers’ 49-point margin of victory tied for the most lopsided defeat in Florida State history, matching a 49-0 loss at Florida in 1973. It also was the worst home loss ever for the Seminoles, topping a 44-point defeat at the hands of Southern Mississippi in 1981, and gave the Tigers four consecutive victories against Florida State for the first time in school history.

"I thought when I signed up to Florida State I would never lose like this in my life," Seminoles defensive tackle Marvin Wilson said.

Clemson's player, meanwhile, are winning pretty much as they envisioned, and if style points count when it comes to selecting teams for the College Football Playoff, Clemson is doing its best impression of a national title contender.

We'll know for sure on Tuesday when the first College Football Playoff poll is released, but the Tigers' resume may need an addendum: The Tigers are 8-0 for the sixth time in school history, have outscored their last three opponents 163-13 and appear to be clicking on all cylinders heading into the season’s home stretch.

What also is clearly evident is that Lawrence is hitting his stride as well, despite having only four games under his belt as the Tigers’ starter. Lawrence completed 20 of 37 passes against the Seminoles for a career-best 314 yards, giving him back-to-back 300-yard passing games.

His four touchdown passes on Saturday gave him 16 this season, breaking the school freshman record set by Deshaun Watson in 2014, and topping Watson’s record for passing yards by a first-year quarterback with 1,490.

"Every week he gets more and more comfortable with the whole system," co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. "He has great command of the system, and that allows us to put more on his plate."

Lawrence is proving to be a voracious consumer. He has effectively injected a downfield passing game and explosive capability back into Clemson’s offense, perhaps to an unprecedented level. Of his 16 touchdown passes this season, six have covered 53 or more yards and eight have covered 30 yards or more.

He’s continuing to gain confidence with each passing game, which will be key as the Tigers seek to wrap up a fourth consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference title and fourth straight trip to the Playoff.

"Trevor was awesome," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "We had this guy here named Deshaun Watson, who was a pretty good player, and he broke his record for yards and touchdowns and just kind of 'ho-hum.' It's amazing to watch him.

"He has great confidence and there's great chemistry with him and those receivers. Just really proud of him."

What else we learned from Clemson’s latest victory:

► Depth is a huge advantage for this team. The Tigers played without starting center Justin Falcinelli, an preseason All-ACC selection, and didn’t miss a beat along the offensive front, providing solid protection for Lawrence and creating just enough running room against the Seminoles’ talented front line of defense to keep Florida State honest.

"Our line did a great job in protection," Swinney said. "To give up no sacks against that bunch that's a tall order."

Depth also showed in the receiving corps. Amari Rodgers took his turn as the Tigers’ offensive star, catching six passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins turned another workmanlike performance with six receptions for 62 yards and a pair of scores and 10 receivers caught at least one pass.

► Christian Wilkins is the most versatile player on the field – and perhaps in college football. Wilkins, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle, scored the first rushing touchdown of his career in the second quarter, conjuring up images of former Clemson star William “Refrigerator” Perry in his days with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

"Christian Wilkins, in our Fridge package, had a chance to get in the end zone," Swinney said.

For good measure, Wilkins -- who already has a touchdown reception to his credit in his career -- added half a sack and a quarterback hurry.

► Clemson’s defense continues to flex its muscle. The Tigers amassed a season-high 14 tackles for loss and were completely dominant against the Seminoles’ rushing attack, holding Florida State to minus-21 yards on the ground – the second-lowest total for an opponent in Clemson history. Twenty-nine different players had at least on tackle.

"They're just getting in rhythm," Swinney said of his defense. "They love the preparation and that's what leads to success on game day. They're locked in and focused and they know exactly what they want."